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Our Founder

At the heart of the Musolino Family Myeloma Foundation (MFMF) is the inspiring story of Ross Musolino, who turned a personal battle with multiple myeloma into a mission of hope for others. Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2017, Ross continues to face this challenge with remarkable courage but envisioned a brighter future for those affected by the disease.

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Following his diagnosis, Ross underwent standard initial treatment followed by an autologous stem cell transplant in early 2018. While the transplant was not as successful as hoped, it did reduce the disease burden. In the years that followed, Ross received continuous chemotherapy treatment at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (RAH). Although he never achieved full remission, the treatment helped to keep the myeloma under control for a significant period, enabling him to maintain an almost normal lifestyle while managing ongoing side effects.

Ross is now participating in a clinical trial at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne, which aims to bring the myeloma back under control.

 

Beyond his personal treatment journey, Ross and his wife Anne have developed a strong interest in the broader field of myeloma research. They have visited the myeloma research facilities at SAHMRI on multiple occasions and have been consistently impressed by the calibre and innovation of the work being undertaken.

 

Driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference for others affected by the disease, Ross and Anne laid the foundation for the Musolino Family Myeloma Foundation—setting a vision for a charity committed to supporting patients, driving research, and raising awareness about multiple myeloma.

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As an ex officio member, Ross continues to be a guiding force in the charity, ensuring that our work stays true to his original vision of compassion, support, and innovation. The legacy they’ve created is one of hope and transformation, inspiring us every day to push forward in the fight against multiple myeloma.

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Ross and Anne are supported by their daughters Jane Kaesler and Katie Maiolo who, together with the other board members, are committed to continuing Ross’ vision and the MFMF into the future.

Meet the Board

The Musolino Family Myeloma Foundation has a leadership team driven by passion, purpose, and a shared vision for creating lasting impact. Each of our Directors brings a unique blend of expertise, dedication, and heart to their role, guiding our mission to make a difference in the lives of people living with multiple myeloma.

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Board Member

Clive is a senior executive in the resources, energy, and infrastructure sectors with over 25 years of experience. As a previous CEO of 13 years, he leverages his engineering background and MBA to drive strategic growth, risk management, and stakeholder engagement in a dynamic market.

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A graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course, Clive holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (1st Class Honours) and an MBA. He has also attended international industry events to broaden his global perspective.

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Outside of work, Clive enjoys family time, fitness, and sports, particularly cricket and soccer.

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Board Member

Duncan McKenzie

Duncan is an immunologist specialising in the immune system’s response to cancer. He earned his PhD from the University of Adelaide in 2016, studying T cell migration in inflammation and cancer.

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His postdoctoral research at The Francis Crick Institute focused on how sentinel T cells detect early skin cancer. During the pandemic, he contributed to COVID-19 immune response studies and led data analysis on cancer patients’ vaccine responses at King’s College London.

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After working in cell therapy development at Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Duncan joined IMU Biosciences as Discovery Lead, driving innovation in immune phenotyping for precision medicine.

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Board Member

Katie Maiolo

Katie is a Nurse with 20 years of experience improving health and social outcomes through strategic leadership, system-wide innovation, and collaborative planning across the health sector. She has worked across government, non-government, research, and private sectors, leading service improvements with a people-first approach.

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Her passion work includes driving system-level change through her leadership of the homelessness portfolio in South Australia, with a focus on improving health access and outcomes for people experiencing homelessness.

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A breast cancer survivor, Katie completed treatment in 2024 and is passionate about enhancing services for those in need.

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Board Member

Jane Kaesler

Jane is a Chartered Accountant with over 25 years of experience in public practice, advising clients across diverse industries, including medical, wineries, and building services. She values strong client relationships, providing tailored financial and taxation advice with a strategic, hands-on approach.

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As a Director at UHY Sothertons Adelaide, Jane ensures compliance with evolving tax regulations and helps businesses implement robust financial structures and controls.

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Outside of work, she enjoys time with her husband and two children, as well as water skiing, snow skiing, and playing hockey.

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Board Member

Emily Gibson

Dr. Emily Gibson is a UK-trained GP who has worked in South Australia since 2011. She currently serves as a GP Integration Officer at Adelaide PHN and Northern Adelaide LHN, supporting GP engagement and leading research.

 

With experience in international settings including Hong Kong, Emily is passionate about health equity, service design, and driving statewide primary care initiatives that deliver better outcomes for South Australians.

 

As a board member of the Musolino Family Myeloma Foundation, she brings valuable clinical insight and a strong connection to the Musolino family.

Outside of work, she enjoys travelling and considers motherhood her most important role.

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